scholarly journals Variability in Plant Growth in Retail Potting Media

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Wiberg ◽  
Richard Koenig ◽  
Teresa Cerny-Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Potting Media ◽  
Complete Fertilizer ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

There is extensive variability in physical and chemical properties among brands of retail potting media. The purpose of this study was to assess variability in seed germination and plant growth responses among and within brands. Twenty-four different brands of media, and multiple bags of five brands, were purchased at nine retail stores. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) seeds were germinated in 11 different brands of media and in media from different bags of four of the same brands. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) and petunia (Petunia×hybrida) were grown to flowering in 10 brands of media. Germination varied significantly among media brands and among bags of one of the brands. Plant performance also varied significantly, with several of the brands producing plants with few flowers, long times to flowering, and low shoot and root dry weights even though all treatments received uniform applications of a complete fertilizer solution three times per week. Few relationships could be discerned between individual physical and chemical properties of the media and plant performance. Results indicate improvements in quality among brands and quality control within brands are needed in the retail potting media industry. Quality assessment tools emphasizing plant performance could improve overall media quality.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COIR WASTE AND THEIR RELATION TO PLANT GROWTH

1997 ◽  
pp. 365-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Noguera ◽  
M. Abad ◽  
R. Puchades ◽  
V. Noguera ◽  
A. Maquieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION FREQUENCY ON PLANT GROWTH AND NUTRIENT LEVELS OF PINE BARK MEDIA

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 849c-849
Author(s):  
T.E. Bilderback
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Irrigation Frequency ◽  
Foliar Tissue ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Ilex × `Nellie R. Stevens' holly, Rhododendron sp. `Hinodegeri' azalea and Pyracantha coccinea, scarlet firethorn rooted cuttings were potted in • 3.81 containers. Irrigation was applied by Dram rings daily, or every 2,4,or 6 days. Approximately 1000 ml of water were applied at each irrigation. Three container media, including pine bark, and pine bark amended with either Terra-Sorb AG synthetic moisture extender incorporated at 1.2 kg/m3 or Aqua-Gro G wetting agent incorporated at 0.9 kg/m3 plus monthly drenches of 700 ml of 2500 ppm Aqua-Gro L were compared for physical and chemical properties and plant growth responses. Decreasing irrigation decreased pH, increased nutrient leachate levels, and increased foliar tissue levels of N,P,K,Ca,and Fe in holly and azalea. Pyracantha top and root dry weight was reduced at 4 and 6 day irrigation intervals, holly top growth was reduced by 6 day and azalea had greatest shoot growth at 2 day irrigation and was reduced by other irrigation frequencies. Top growth of all 3 species and root growth of pyracantha was reduced in the pine bark treatment.

scholarly journals Variability in the Physical and Chemical Properties of Retail Potting Media

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Wiberg ◽  
Richard Koenig ◽  
Teresa Cerny-Koenig
Keyword(s):  
Salt Lake ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Salt Lake City ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Potting Media ◽  
Lake City ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Popular press articles report that consumers often experience inconsistent results with retail potting media; however, few reports in the popular or scientific literature have quantified the variability in media properties. The purpose of this study was to assess the variability in physical and chemical properties among different brands of retail potting media and within certain brands. Twenty-four different packages of branded media, and multiple packages of five brands, were acquired from nine regional and national retail chain stores located in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. Samples were analyzed for five physical and nine chemical properties. The coefficients of variation (cvs) among brands for initial gravimetric water content, bulk density, porosity, water retention, and air space were 85%, 74%, 21%, 59%, and 44%, respectively. The cvs among brands for saturated media (SM) pH, SM extract electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), total carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio were 18%, 81%, 132%, 153%, 96%, 78%, 71%, 36%, 45%, and 49%, respectively. Only one of the 24 brands met all published standards for chemical properties of premium media. Thirteen of the brands did not meet standards for NO3-N; 12 did not meet standards for pH; and six did not meet standards for EC. There was more variation in physical and chemical properties among brands than within a brand of media. Label information describing media composition was not consistent with certain physical and chemical properties. No recommendations can be made which would allow consumers to select media that meets published standards. These results indicate better awareness of and/or adherence to standards is needed by the retail media industry to improve product quality and consistency.

scholarly journals Organic Soil Amendment and Tillage Affect Soil Quality and Plant Performance in Simulated Residential Landscapes

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1522-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawna Loper ◽  
Amy L. Shober ◽  
Christine Wiese ◽  
Geoffrey C. Denny ◽  
Craig D. Stanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Ornamental Plant ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Residential Landscapes ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

The urban soil environment is usually not conducive to healthy root growth and function, leading to problems with plant establishment, growth, and aesthetic quality. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of compost with or without the application of shallow tillage or aeration will improve soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth compared with an unamended control in simulated new residential landscapes. Twenty-four mixed landscape plots were established in a randomized complete block design to simulate new residential landscapes. Each plot was constructed using 10 cm of subsoil fill material over a compacted field soil and planted with Stenotaphrum secundatum and mixed ornamental plant species. Composted dairy manure solids were applied as an organic soil amendment at a depth of 5 cm (≈256 Mg·ha−1) in combination with two mechanical soil treatments (tillage to 15 cm and plug aeration) for a total of five soil management treatments plus an untreated control. Soil physical and chemical properties, plant growth, and quality and plant tissue nutrient concentrations were assessed periodically to determine the effect of soil treatment on soil and plant quality. Applications of compost to soils significantly reduced soil bulk density and pH and increased soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, and Mehlich-1 phosphorus and potassium concentrations. All ornamental plant species, with the exception of Raphiolepis indica (L.) Lindl. ex Ker Gawl., exhibited more growth when grown in soils amended with composted dairy manure solids. In most instances, plant tissue nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were higher for plants grown in soils receiving compost. Results of our study suggested that the addition of composted dairy manure solids to soils can improve soil properties and enhance plant growth in residential landscapes when sandy fill soils are used. In contrast, shallow tillage and aeration had little effect on soil properties or plant growth.

scholarly journals An Emerging Chemical Fumigant: Two-Sided Effects of Dazomet on Soil Microbial Environment and Plant Response

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Chen ◽  
Weitao Jiang ◽  
Shaozhuo Xu ◽  
Hai Fan ◽  
Xuesen Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Enzyme ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Enzyme Activities ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Abstract Methyl bromide has been banned worldwide because it causes damage to the ozone layer and the environment. To find a substitute for methyl bromide, the relationships among fumigation, plant growth, and the microbial community in replant soil require further study. We performed pot and field experiments to investigate the effects of dazomet fumigation on soil properties and plant performance. Changes in soil microbial community structure and diversity were assessed using high-throughput sequencing, and plant physiological performance and soil physicochemical properties were also measured. Dazomet fumigation enhanced photosynthesis and promoted plant growth in replant soil; it altered soil physical and chemical properties and reduced soil enzyme activities, although these parameters gradually recovered over time. After dazomet fumigation, the dominant soil phyla changed, microbial diversity decreased significantly, the relative abundance of biocontrol bacteria such as Mortierella increased, and the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Fusarium decreased. Over the course of the experiment, the soil microbial flora changed dynamically, and soil enzyme activities and other physical and chemical properties also recovered to a certain extent. This result suggested that the effect of dazomet on soil microorganisms was temporary. However, fumigation also led to an increase in some resistant pathogens, such as Trichosporon, that affect soil function and health. Therefore, it is necessary to consider potential negative impacts of dazomet on the soil environment and to perform active environmental risk management in China.

scholarly journals Biochar-Rhizosphere Interactions – a Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sławomir Głuszek ◽  
Lidia Sas-Paszt ◽  
Beata Sumorok ◽  
Ryszard Kozera
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Water Remediation ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Biological Origin ◽  
Practical Utilization ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Biochar is a solid material of biological origin obtained from biomass carbonization, designed as a mean to reduce greenhouse gases emission and carbon sequestration in soils for a long time. Biochar has a wide spectrum of practical utilization and is applied as a promising soil improver or fertilizer in agriculture, or as a medium for soil or water remediation. Preparations of biochar increase plant growth and yielding when applied into soil and also improve plant growth conditions, mainly bio, physical and chemical properties of soil. Its physical and chemical properties have an influence on bacteria, fungi and invertebrates, both in field and laboratory conditions. Such effects on rhizosphere organisms are positive or negative depending on biochar raw material origin, charring conditions, frequency of applications, applications method and doses, but long term effects are generally positive and are associated mainly with increased soil biota activity. However, a risk assessment of biochar applications is necessary to protect food production and the soil environment. This should be accomplished by biochar production and characterization, land use implementation, economic analysis, including life cycle assessment, and environmental impact assessment.

scholarly journals The Effects of Plasma on Plant Growth, Development, and Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 6045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhawana Adhikari ◽  
Manish Adhikari ◽  
Gyungsoon Park
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Molecular Processes ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Cold atmospheric or low pressure plasma has activation effects on seed germination, plant growth and development, and plant sustainability, and prior experimental studies showing these effects are summarized in this review. The accumulated data indicate that the reactive species generated by cold plasma at atmospheric or low pressure may be involved in changing and activating the physical and chemical properties, physiology, and biochemical and molecular processes in plants, which enhances germination, growth, and sustainability. Although laboratory and field experiments are still required, plasma may represent a tool for efficient adaptation to changes in the climate and agricultural environments.

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